Railway-signal.



J. D. TAYLOR.

RAILWAY SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.28,1912. RENEWED NOV. 12.1915.

1,170,361. Patented F6111, 1916.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

WITH fjlNEgOR M w:

J. D. TAYLOR.

RAILWAY SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.28 I912- RENEWED NOV-12.1915.

' Patented Feb. 1,1916.

. 8SHEETS-SHEET 2 FIG. 2

wrrmzssss MENTOR WXM THE couw PLANOGIAPH ,C0-. WASHINGTON. D. c.

J. D.'TAYLOR RAILWAY'SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED AUGJB. 1912- RENEWED NOV. 12,1915.

Patented Feb. 1, 191.6.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 3 INVENTOR WITNESSES I J. Dx TAYLOR.

RMLWAY SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.28, 1912. RENEWED NOV. 12.1915.

Patented Feb. 1, 1916.

8 $HEETSSHEET 4.

INVENTOR WITNESSES FIG. 5

J. D.TAYLOR.'

RAILWAY SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.28, 1912. RENEWED NOV. 12.1915.

Patented Feb. 1, 1916.

3 SHEETSSHEET 5.

FIG. 6

INVENTOR WITNESSES fl/M J. D. TAYLOR- RAi'LWAY SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.28.1912- RENWEDNOV. 12.1915.

Patented Feb. 1, 1916.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

INVENTOR a? WITNESSES THE COLUMBIA PLANOGRAFH cm. WASHINGTON, u C.

J. D. TAYLOR.

RAILWAY SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.28,191'2. RENEWED NOV-12.1915.

Patented Feb. 1, 1916.

' B SHEETSSHEET I.

WITNESSES g am-on vPdazZ a;

THE COLUMBIA PLANUGRAPH (10., WASHINGTON, n. c.

1.. D. TAYLOR.

RAILWAY SIGNAL. APPLICATION FILED AuG.28. 1912. RENEWED NOV 12,1915.

1 1,170,361. Patented Feb. 1, 1916.

8 SHEETSSHEET 8.

FIG. 10

WITNESSES algl/ENTOR a z W W T1112 coLurnmA PLANOGRAPH c0., WASHINGTON, n.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN D. TAYLOR, OF EDGEWOOD BOROUGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE UNION SWITCH & SIGNAL COMPANY, OF SWISSVALE, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

RAILWAY-SIGNAL.

Application filed August 28, 1912, Serial No. 717,436. Renewed November 12, 1915.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN D. TAYLOR, a citizen of the United States, residing at lildgewood Borough, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in l-lailway-Signals, of which the following is a specification.

\[y invention relates to railway signals of that type comprising a signal device in the form of a semaphore biased to one position of indication, and an electric motor for moving it to one or more other positions of indication.

I will describe one form of railway sign l embodying my invention, and will then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view showing in side elevation, partly sectioned, one form of signal embodying my invention, the semaphore being removed. Fig. is a view showing on an enlarged scale a portion of the signal shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an end view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2 with the end plate removed. Fig. 4 is a view on the line IVIV of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrow. Fig. is a bottom view of a portion of Fig. +1. Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view showing one arrangement of winding for the motor employed to move the signal device. Fig. 7 is a view showing in front elevation the signal shown in Fig. 1 and in,- eluding the semaphore. Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view showing one arrangement of circuit and apparatus when the signal shown in the preceding views is employed as a three-position signal. Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic view showing one arrangement of apparatus and circuits when the signal shown in Figs. 1 to 7 is employed as a twoposition signal. Fig. 10 is a view showing a modified form of part of the apparatus shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts in'each of the several views.

Referring first to Figs. 1 and 7, 27 is an outside signal case (only the front portion of which is shown in Fig. 1) within which is mounted a gear-inclosing casing 13. The casing 13 is fixed to the front of case 12 by bolts 3. Mounted in bearings in casing 1 is a shaft 10 one end of which pro- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 1, 1916.

Serial No. 61,158.

jects through a hole 4 in case 27 and to the projecting end of which a semaphore 100 may be fixed. The semaphore is shown in Fig. 7 but not in Fig. 1. The semaphore is biased by gravity to a horizontal position, usually termed the danger position, and is moved to one or more other positions, such as to a caution and a clear position, by means hereinafter explained. In the signal hereshown the semaphore is moved upwardly to its other positions of indication, but it is understood that the mechanism may equally well be arranged for the semaphore to be moved downwardly from its horizontal position to its other positions of indication.

Fixed to the casing 13 is a cylindrical box 37 in which is journaled a spindle 15. This spindle is operatively connected with the semaphore shaft 10 by suitable gearing comprising a segmental gear wheel 26 fixed on shaft 10, a pinion 24 and a gear wheel 23 both fixed on a shaft 25 journaled in casing 13, a pinion 22 and a gear wheel 21 rigidly connected and mounted on ball bearings carried on shaft 10, and a pinion 17 mounted on the spindle 15. The pinion 17 is not fixed on spindle 15, but is connected therewith in the following manner: As shown clearly in Fig. 2, the pinion 17 is provided with a conical bore which fits upon a conical sleeve 18 secured to the spindle 15. The pinion is held with pressure against the conical sleeve by means of a spring 1 one end of which abut against a collar 20 which abuts against the pinion, and the other end of which spring rests against a shoulder 101 fixed to an extension 15 on the spindle 15. The friction between the pinion 17 and the conical sleeve 18, due to the compression of spring 19, is sufficient to hold the two in engagement under ordinary conditions, but is such as to permit slippage between the two in case the sema phore falls against its stop with a blow.

Mounted in box 37 is an electric motor M which is employed to move the semaphore 100 from its horizontal position to its other positions of indication. This motor, as here shown, is of the induction type comprlsing a stator 36 and a squirrel-cage rotor 11. The rotor 11 is carried by a spider 16 (see Fig. 3) which is freely mounted on the spindle 15 and operatively connected therewith by means of a ratchet device B. This ratchet device is so arranged that the motor is connected with the spindle 15 when it is to move the semaphore, but that the motor may rotate baclnvard without rotating the spindle 15. It will be seen that by means of this ratchet device, the rotor 11 is rotated backwardly while the semaphore 100 is returning toward its horizontal position, but that when the sen'laphore is stopped during this movement the rotor 11 is left free to spin idly until its momentum is absorbed, thereby avoiding injury due to sudden stoppage. Also, it will be seen that by causing the rotor to rotate backwardly during movement of the semaphore toward horizontal position, the motor may, if desired, be employed to check the momentum of the moving parts as the semaphore approaches a position at which it is to be stopped. One rangement of winding of the stator 36 is shown diagrammatically in Fig. 6. As here shown, the stator is provided with two phase windings 5% and 55, which. windings are distributed in a manner similar to that shown, so that, while the semaphore is moving toward (flange if alternating current of the same phase is supplied to both windings, or if alternating current is supplied to one winding only and the other winding is closed on itself, the motor acts as a brake to retard the movement of the parts.

As here shown, the ratchet device it comprises a ratchet wheel 32 secured to the spindle 15, and two pawls 33 freely pivoted at points 35 on an arm let which is freely mounted on the spindle 15. The pawls 33 are engaged by studs 34 mounted in spokes of the spider 16. The arm 1% is held in frictional engagement with the ratchet wheel 32 by a spring 10:2. When the spider 16 turns in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 3, that is, when the motor is to move the semaphore, the friction of the arm 14 on the ratchet wheel causes this arm to turn the pawls 33 on th ir pivots so as to engage the teeth of the ratchet wheel. Nhen however the spider 16 turns in the other direction the pawls are turned by the arm is out of the path of the teeth on the ratchet wheel. The ratchet is therefore noiseless when inoperative, and is therefore free from unnecessary wear, and it engages with certainty when operative. Located also in the box 37 is a holding de vice H adapted to hold the semaphore 100 in caution and clear positions. This device comprises a stator or primary member 29, and a rotor or secondary member 1-8. It will be seen, therefore, that this holding device is a transformer device having a fixed primary member 29 and a movable sec ondary member 48. The testator 29 is fixed in the box 37 and comprises a plurality of laminations of transformer iron clamped together by rivets. The rotor is carried by a spider 12 which as here shown is freely mounted on the spindle 15. Interposed be tween the rotor 18 and the spindle 15 is a ratchet device R which is similar to the ratchet device R hereinbefore explained. The ratchet device R operates to engage the rotor 8 with the spindle when the semaphore moves or tends to move toward danger position, but permits movement of the spindle 15 in the other direction without engaging the rotor 18. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the spider 12 is retained in position on the spindle 15 by the ratchet device R and by a collar 112 fixed to the spindle 15 by a pin 118. It is understood however that in some cases the rotor 8 may be rigidly secured to the spindle 15 as indicated in Fig. 10. The stator 29 comprises a plurality of inwardly projecting pole pieces 50 (as here shown, eight in number). Each pole piece is provided with a coil 31 the coils being so wound that the polarity of the pole pieces is alternately north and south around the stator. The rotor 48 comprises soft iron laminations having embedded therein a plurality of rods 52 equal in number to the number of stator pole pieces. These rods 52 may be of any suitable electro-conductive ma terial such as copper. The rods 52 are con-- nected together by means of copper rings 30 at the ends of the rotor. At such times as the holding device H is to hold the semen phore, the coils 31 are energized from a suitable source of alternating current.

The action of the holding device in holding the signal is due to the fact that the magnetic flux from the poles 50 tends to hold the rods 52 in the middle of the field of flux, because this is the position in which no current will be induced in the rods. Con siderable force is required to move the rods from this middle position and this force increases rapidly as the rods approach the edges of the poles.

The holding device H as here shown is arranged to control a circuit controller. F or this purpose a slot 51 is cut through the stator laminations, and the gap in the magnetic circuit thus formed is bridged by a movable armature 46. To cause part of the flux from the adjacent poles to pass through this armature instead of returning around the stator, a low resistance circuit is placed on the adjacent poles 50. Each of these circuits comprises two copper rods 53 electrically connected at each end of the stator by means of copper plates 49. This low resistance circuit is so placed that its" plane is parallel to the normal direction of the flux. The low resistance circuits formed by the rods 53 and plates as do not interfere in any way with the flux which passes through the rotor 48, but they compel part of this flux to return by way of the movable armature 46, which flux causes the armature to be lifted toward the stator 49. This action of these low resistance circuits is due to the fact that the flux in the halves of the poles nearest the gap would, if it were to return through the unbroken part of the stator, be compelled to pass through the corresponding low resistance circuit, but this circuit ofl'ers considerable impedance to such flux so the flux, or a portion of it passes through the branch circuit including the armature 46. The armature +16 is composed of soft iron and is preferably made up of laminations held together by a clamp 44, which clamp is riveted to a pivotally mounted lever 15. The laminations of armature 46 are parallel with the paper in Fig. 4, hence they are not shown in the drawings. Two contact fingers 10 and 41 are mounted on the lever 15 by means of insulating studs 47. One of these fingers 40 is arranged to engage with a. contact block 42 when the armature is picked up and the other finger -11 is arranged to engage with a back contact -13 when the armature is down.

Referring now to Fig. 8 I will explain one form of signaling system employing threeposition signals embodying my invention, that is, signals each of which is adapted to indicate danger, caution and clear. In this view A, B, C and D are four successive blocks of a railway over which traflic moves in the direction indicated by the arrow. Signal S governs traflic through block A, signal S governs traffic through block B, and signal S governs trafiic through block C. Each signal is controlled by a relay R, R or R each of which relays as here shown comprises two windings 104 and 105 one of which, 105, is connected with the track rails and the other of which, 104, is energized from the secondary 107 of a transformer T, T or T the primary windings of which transformers are energized from signal mains 103. These signal mains are supplied with alternating current from a suitable source, which source is not here shown. Another secondary 108 of each transformer T, T" and T is connected with the rails of the preceding block through a pole-changer 109 operated by the adjacent signal. Each polechanger 109 may be included in the circuit controller 28 shown in Fig. 1, but is here shown diagrammatically as being of a different form for the sake of clearness. The armature member 105 of each relay operates a contact finger 71 which finger engages with wire 80 when the member 105 is oscillated in one direction, with wire 81 when the member 105 is oscillated in the other direction, and which finger is disconnected from both wires 80 and 81 when the mem her 105 occupies its middle position, that is,

jacent transformer T, T or T the circuits for these motors and holding devices being controlled by the relays R, R and R These circuits are also controlled by segments 72, 59, 64 and 69 which are included in the circuit controller 28 shown in Fig. 1.

The operation of the system shown in Fig. 8 is as follows: As shown in the drawing block A is occupied by a car or train W so that relay R is deenergized and signal S therefore indicates danger. Relay R is energized in one direction so that signal S indicates caution, and R is energized in the other direction so that signal S indicates clear. When the car or train W passes out of block A, relay R will be energized in such direction that contact finger 74 connects with wire 80 and a circuit will then be closed as followsfrom transformer secondary 107 through wire 79, contact finger 74, wire 80, finger 65, segment 64, finger 66, wire 86, where the current will divide, part of it passing through resistance 57, wire 88, motor winding 54 and wire 91 to secondary 107, and the other part of it passing through reactance 58, wire 89, motor winding 55, wire 91 to secondary 107. This current will operate the motor M to move the signal S toward caution position; when caution position is reached the circuit just traced will be opened at contact 66 and the motor therefore stops. Just as the caution position is reached, however, a circuit will be closed through winding 31 of the holding device H which circuit is as folloWs--from wire 80 through finger 63, segment 59, finger 62, wire 92, winding 31, wire 90 to wire 91. The signal will therefore be held in the caution position and the parts of the mechanism for signal S will then be in the positions in which the parts of the mechanism of signal S are shown in the drawing.

While signal S was moving to the caution position, pole-changer 109 operated by this signal was reversed, thereby reversing the position of relay B so that contact finger 74 of this relay connects with wire 81. This closes the following circuitfrom secondary 107 of transformer T through wire 79, contact finger 74, wire 81, finger 67, segment 69, finger 68, wires 83 and 86, then as before through resistance 57, reactance 58 and the two motor windings 51 and 55, wire 91 to secondary 107. Current in this circuit operates the motor M to move signal toward clear position; when that position is reached the circuit just traced is opened at contact finger 68 and the motor therefore stops. Just as the signal reaches the clear position a circuit is closed through the winding of the holding device H as follows-from wire 81 through wire 82, contact finger 60, segment 59, contact finger 61, wire 92, winding 31, wire 90 to wire 91. The signal is therefore held in the clear position, and the parts of the mechanism of signal S occupy the positions in which the parts of the mechanism of signal S are shown in the drawing. If, while the signal S is in the clear position, a car or train enters block C, it will deenergize relay R thereby opening the circuit through the holding device H of this signal so that the signal is then free to return under the infiuence of gravity to the danger position. If, when signal S is in the clear position as shown in the drawing, a car on train enters block B from a siding, the contact finger 7 1 of relay R will be reversed so that the circuit of the holding device H of signal S is opened. The deenergizing of this holding device releases the signal, and it also allows armature contact finger ll to drop thereby engaging with its back contact 4L3. Shortly before the signal reaches caution, contact springs and 71 will be electrically connected by segment 72, thereby closing the following circuitfrom secondary 107 of transformer T through wire 79, contact finger 74, wires and 84;, contact finger 4:3, finger il, wire 85, contact finger 70, segment 72, contact finger 71, wires 87 and 80, motor winding 55, wire 91 to secondary 107; also a-branch of this circuit is closed from wire 87 through react ance 58, resistance 57 and motor winding 5%. '1 he reactance and resistance in this circuit being in series practically neutralize each others effect, so that the current in winding Set is substantially in phase with the current in winding These currents of the same phase in both windings of the motor cause the motor to act as a brake, thereby retarding the downward movement of the signal to such an extent that the hold ing device H can easily stop the signal and hold it in the caution position. W hen the caution position is reached a circuit is closed through the holding device H as hereinbefore traced, thereby energizing this device so that the signal. is held in caution position. The energizing of device H also raised contact finger a1 away from its back contact 4:3, thereby opening the braking circuit so that the motor may then be energized to move the signal to clear position again.

it will be evident that when a signal embodying my invention is employed as shown in Fig. 8, the contact finger 40 and front contact 42 shown in Figs. 1 and 5 are unnecesand may be omitted. It will also be evident that when the signal is employed in this manner, the holding device H is energized only at such times as it is desired that this device should hold the signal; hence in such cases the ratchet device R i ay be omitted and the rotor 1-8 may be fixed to the spindle 15 by a pin 110 as shown in Fig. 10.

in Fig. 9 l have shown one form of railway signaling system employing twoposition signals embodying my invention, that is, signals each of which is adapted to indicate danger and clear. in this view A and B are two successive blocks through which traffic in the direction of the arrow is governed respectively by sig nals S and 3 These signals are controlled respectively by track relays and it". Current is supplied to the track relay it of block B by a secondary 108 of a transformer T whose primary is energized from signalin mains 103. and it is understood that the track relay R of block A is energized in a similar manner.

As shown in the drawing, block A is occupied by a car or train l i so that relay it is deenergized and signal S therefore at danger. Vi hen this car or train passes out of block A, relay will close thereby closing the following circuit through the winding of holding device Hfrom secondary 107 of transformer '13 through wire 79, contact 110, wire 02, winding 31, and wires and 91 to secondary 107. Gurrent in this circuit causes the holding device H to close contact e0 thereby closing the following circuit through the winding of motor Mfrom transformer secondary 107 through wires 7 and 03-, contacts and 5&0, wire 9%, contact finger segment 64, contact finger 66, wire 80 and then through resistance 57 and reacta ice 58, wires 88 and 89, motor windings 5 1- and 55, to wire 01 and secondary 107. This current energizes the motor M so that the signal is moved to the clear position. Just as the signal reaches the clear position, the circuit last traced is opened at contact finger 06 so that the motor lvli then stops. The signal is held in the clear position by the holding device which con tinues to be energized. The parts of the mechanism of signal S then occupy the positions in which the parts of the mechanism for signal. S are shown in the drawing.

If, with signal S in the position shown in the drawing, a car or train, enters block B, it will open relay thereby opening the circuit of holding device so that signal S is free to move to danger position.

it will. be evident that when a signal embodying my iiivent-ion is employed as shown inFig. 9, the contact finger 1-1 and back contact block shown in Figs. 1 and 5 are unnecessary and may therefore be omitted.

Athough I have herein shown and described only one form of railway signal embodying my invention, it is understood that various clnniges and modifications may be made therein within the scope of the appended claims withont depart no; from the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what Iclaim is 1. in combination, a signal biased to one position of indication, means for moving it to another position, and a transformer device for holding the signal in the last-mentioned position, said device comprising a primary member and a secondary member one of which fixed and the other of which is movable.

In combination, a signal biased to one position of indication, means for moving it to another position, and a holding device for holding the signal in the last-named position said device comprising a stator pro-- vided with an energizing winding and a rotor provided with closed electric circuits.

3. In combination, a signal biased to one position of indication, means for moving it to another position, and an inductive device for holding the signal in the last-named position; said device comprising a stator, a squirrel-cage rotor having the same number of bars as the stator has poles and a single phase winding for the stator.

4. In combination, a signal biased to one position of indication, means for moving it to another position, a holding device for holding the signal in the last-named position, said device comprising a stator having an energizing winding and a rotor having closed electric circuits, and means for operatively connecting said holding device with the signal only when the latter is moving or tending to move toward its biased position.

5. In combination, a signal biased to one position of indication, means for moving it to another position, and atransformer device for holding the signal in the last-mentioned position, said device comprising a fixed primary member and a movable secondary member operatively connected with the signal.

6. In combination, a signal biased to danger position. means for moving it to caution and clear positions, and a holding device for holding it in the two last-named positions, said device comprising a stator having an energizing winding and a rotor having closed electric circuits.

7. In combination, a signal biased to one position of indication, means for moving it to another position; and an inductive device for holding the signal in the latter position comprising a stator, a rotor, an energizing winding for the stator, a tractive armature, means for controlling the armature by the presence and absence of current in the stator winding, and a contact controlled by the armature.

8. In combination, a signal biased to one position of indication, means for moving it to another position; and an inductive device for holding the signal in the latter position comprising a stator, a rotor, an energizing winding for the stator, a tractive armature controlled by the stator, and a contact controlled by the armature.

9. In combination, a signal biased to one position of indication, means for moving it to another position; and an inductive device for holding the signal in the latter position comprising a stator, a rotor, an energizing winding for the stator, a slot in the stator, a tractive armature bridging the gap formed by the slot, means for causing part of the magnetic flux in the rotor to pass through the tractive armature and a contact controlled by the said tractive armature.

10. In combination, a signal biased to one position of indication, means for moving it to another position; and an inductive device for holding the signal in the latter position comprising a stator, a rotor, an energizing Winding for the stator, a slot in the stator between two adjacent poles thereof, a tractive armature arranged to bridge the gap formed by the slot, means for causing the magnetic flux from the two said adjacent poles to pass through the tractive armature instead of returning through the stator, and a contact controlled by the tractive armature.

11. In combination, a signal biased to one position of indication, means for moving it to another position; and an inductive device for holding the signal in the latter position comprisin a stator, a rotor, an energizing Winding or the stator, a slot in the stator between two adjacent poles thereof, a tractive armature arranged to bridge the gap formed by the slot, an electric circuit on each of said adjacent poles each of which circuits is so placed that its plane is parallel to the normal direction of magnetic flux in the pole, and a contact controlled by the tractive armature.

12. In combination, a signal biased to one position of indication, means for moving it to another position; an inductive device for holding the signal in the latter position comprising a stator, a rotor, an energizing winding for the stator, a slot in the stator between two adjacent poles thereof, a tractive armature arranged to bridge the gap formed by the slot, an electric circuit on each of said adjacent poles each circuit comprising conductors extending through the pole and conductors connecting said conductors on both sides of the stator, each circuit being so placed that its plane is parallel to the normal direction of the magnetic flux in the pole, and a contact controlled by the tractive armature.

13. In combination, a signal biased to one position of indication, means for moving it to another position, and a holding device for holding the signal in the latter position comprising a stator, a squirrel-cage rotor, and a single phase Winding for the stator.

14. In combination, a signal biased to one position of indication, means for moving it to another position; and a holding device In testimony whereof I aflix my signature 111 presence of two wltnesses.

JOHN D. TAYLOR.

for holding the signal in the latter position comprising a member provided With poles and a squirrel-cage member one of which members is fixed and the other of Which is operatively connected With the signal, and an energizing Winding for the member provided with poles.

Vitnesses:

A. L. VENOILL, L. V. LEWIS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

